By Toby Semler
SEWARD, Neb. – In its first GPAC event of the year, the Concordia University Men’s Tennis team welcomed Morningside to town. After dropping the doubles point, the Bulldogs responded with four singles victories on their way to a 4-3 team win. Joe Bindl clinched the win by taking care of business at No. 6.
Head Coach David DeSimone’s squad improved to 5-3 overall. Said DeSimone, “We knew our singles depth would help us out, especially after losing the doubles point. Winning three through six singles rather decisively ended up being enough today. Jeremiah Berryman led the way and provided a spark to the team after he won at 3 singles.”
In doubles, Morningside claimed two of the three matchups, but one Concordia duo would get the job done. The Bulldog combo of Jack Kitson and Eduardo Rojas bested their opponents, 6-1. Both other duos of Lainer and Berryman, and Zoller and Rabellino were edged out by scores, 7-5.
Singles, however, was a different story. The Bulldog men dropped the first two singles matchups in the lineup, but tides quickly turned in the Bulldogs favor. They rattled off four straight victories including wins from Jeremiah Berryman, Luke Zoller, Isaac Howes and Joe Bindl. The Bulldog victories may have come late, but they were dominant in fashion. Berryman kicked off the rally for Concordia besting his opponent 6-0, 6-0, in a straight set win.
The Mustangs slipped to 3-5 overall (0-1 GPAC). Morningside earned wins at Nos. 1 and 2 singles and at Nos. 1 and 3 doubles.
Conference play for the Bulldog men will keep rolling along when they are back in action this upcoming Tuesday. Concordia will host the Hastings College Broncos (3-5, 1-0) who come off a victory over Northwestern. The Bulldogs are set to serve at 4 p.m. at the Bulldog Tennis Courts.